In looking at week 2 of the preseason, the different areas of improvement should start with holding onto the ball too long, and the play of the offensive line. In the long term, the ability of the offense to put points on the board should be at the top the list.
Last year the Bucs were 5th in total yards per game but were only 20th in scoring, this could be the result of Jameis Winston being a rookie quarterback and also a new play caller in Dirk Koetter. With the hiring of Koetter as head coach and Winston getting another year with the same system, there should be more touchdowns in the future, something that hurt the 2015 squad.
Last year Tampa was able to move the ball well, but all too often had to settle for field goals or turnovers that cost the team wins last year. Whether it was the heartbreaker in Washington, where the failure to get a touchdown late in the fourth quarter allowed Kirk Cousins and the Redskins to score the winning touchdown in the final minute. Or the loss to the Giants where Connor Barth field goals were all the Bucs could muster, in the first three-quarters. These failures to get touchdowns cost the team possible wins.
There is no doubt that the talent is there for the offense to move the ball effectively and have the ability to score more than the 21.4 average per game last years team scored. If Vincent Jackson can come back healthy and if Mike Evans continues to play well, finally getting past those dropped passes that plagued him a year ago, and if the battle at tight end, between Cameron Brate and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, result in a strong receiver, the passing game should be stronger, as well.
The running back tandem of Doug Martin and Charles Sims is one of the best in the league and as long as the offensive line can play effectively, there should be many opportunities for success and points scored.
The 2016 season starts off rough, as four of the first six games are on the road. Trips to Arizona and Carolina highlight this stretch, as both teams have tough defenses and prove to be difficult tasks for Tampa to face. With the promotion of Koetter and the talent at the skill positions, there should be an increase of offensive production and more touchdowns scored which will be integral to have success in 2016.
With Koetter calling the offense and the talent well placed into skill positions, Tampa should be forced into an increase of offensive production allowing for more touchdowns to be scored. And that will be a key component to having success in 2016.
